Lil Nas X, MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name) | Controversial Tunes 😈🎶

On the 3^rd edition of Controversial Tunes, we explore the controversy behind the song, “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)” by Lil Nas X. 

Bring on the controversy, won’t you? Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 is a column that provides background information and insight into songs that raised eyebrows and totally stirred the pot.  The records that grace Controversial Tunes are old and new alike, with all genres of music welcome.  On the 3^rd edition of Controversial Tunes, we explore the controversy behind the song, 🎵 “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)” by 🎙 Lil Nas X. 

“I’m not fazed, only here to sin
If Eve ain’t in your garden, you know that you can…”

🏆 Grammy-winning, genre bender (we’ll settle on ‘pop’ as his central genre) 🎙 Lil Nas X returned with a hot, 😈 controversial 😈 new single, “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”. Nas X, who came out as gay 🏳️‍🌈 when acquiring his success with 🎵 “Old Town Road” has embraced his sexuality and identity, AS HE SHOULD.  Anyways, on “MONTERO,” he reflects on his own experiences with his sexuality – he is Montero Lamar Hill, after all.  Fueling the fire musically is sleek production courtesy of 🎛 Roy Lenzo, 🎛 Omer Fedi, and 🎛 Take A Daytrip.  That said, it’s the lyrics and narrative that make the record truly special. Also, they play a role in the ‘controversy,’ at least to some extent.

Theme & Lyrics 🎼✍

The sweet part of “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)” lyrically and thematically are the many experiences referenced associated with many gay men at some point in their lives. He expresses his desire, such as  Exhibit A:

“I wanna feel on your ass in Hawaii
I want that jet lag from fuckin’ and flyin’
Shoot a child in your mouth while I’m ridin’.”

Let me be clear.  There should be nothing ‘controversial’ about this line.  He’s a man who wants to have sex, period. That said, there’s still plenty of folks quick to criticize him for being gay and promoting an agenda. Gay sex, of course, is still – um – taboo to many.  How about the more intriguing lyrics of Exhibit B:

“Never want the niggas that’s in my league
I wanna fuck the ones I envy, I envy.”

This lyric from the second verse is ear-catching because of the layers, again, quite ‘gay’ to many who are not gay. Nas X speaks about crushing on someone more fit, handsome as well as potentially someone who is hetero- as opposed to homo- sexual. Also, he expresses the plight of being gay (LGBTQIA+ 🏳️‍🌈) whether it’s being trapped in the closet, religious tension, or any number of factors.  Again, none of the things Nas X sheds light on should be controversial honestly but there are still many non-LGBTQ+ members/non-allies who have yet to become comfortable to educate themselves and respect the community.  So, perhaps regarding theme and lyrics, “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)” is only controversial to those more close minded.  That said, there is some controversy with the no. 1 hit that is definitely controversy – the music video.

The Music Video 🎶📼

The eyebrow raising music video is something in its own right.  The more conservative, traditional portion of America weren’t the least bit happy with Lil Nas X.  Yes, the homosexual component was ‘offensive’ to many, but the big NO-NO by the pop artist was dabbling with Satan.  And no, Nas X didn’t just ‘dabble’ with the devil, he had a sexual encounter with him.  Yes, that lap dance that Nas X gave to Satan definitely had those on the right cancelling the Grammy winner instantly.

To be fair, Nas X is merely delivering art, albeit polarizing, with “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name).”  His experiences with Satan aren’t intended as being Satanic but rather poking jabs at how some Christians view anyone who is not heterosexual, damning them to hell.   It’s a complicated relationship between faith and sexuality. Nas X embraces the scenario, essentially playing true to his proud, gay self and not giving a flying what.  Of course, it didn’t stop with a lap dance in a music video as Nas X would double down, fight/troll skeptics, and perhaps most notably, release limited edition Satan shoes.  You could say that he didn’t exactly help avert the criticism against him, haha.

Final Thoughts 💭

If you’ve checked out the two previous Controversial Tunes, I’d consider both to be more controversially, ultimately.  Still, when it comes to the gay pop artist who gets personal about his desires and experiences, well, there’s naturally a degree of controversy.  Lil Nas X embraced it and ran with it.  Could it hurt his career? Maybe, but he seems willing to take the risk, which by my estimations, is a bold yet brave move. 

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: March 2021

🔗 🎧 A Must-Hear PRIDE 🏳️‍🌈 Compendium: 2021

🎙 Lil Nas X • 🎵 “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 2021

Lil Nas X, “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”: Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 No. X [📷: Aidan Feddersen on Unsplash, Brent Faulkner, Columbia, The Musical Hype]